Category Archives: Dying To Self

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on September 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

One day a certain ruler, probably a ruler in a local synagogue, came to Jesus with a question. This ruler was young (Matthew 19:20), wealthy (Matthew 19:22), and lived a moral life by striving to keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17-20). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Brokenness, Business, Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, Greed, Idolatry, Individuality, Money, Obedience, Politics, Priorities, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Want You to Get Out of the Way or Get Involved?

Posted on August 12, 2026 by russellmckinney

Does God want the Christian to stay out of the way and let Him sovereignly bring His will to pass? Or does He want to actually use the Christian to bring that will to pass? The answers to these questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, God's Omnipotence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Service, Submission, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Druthers

Posted on August 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

Mark Twain featured the characters of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in multiple books. One of them is Tom Sawyer, Detective. As part of that book’s conversations between Huck and Tom, Huck says, “Any way you druther have it, that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Christ's Death, Commitment, Crucifixion, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Obedience, Prayer, Sacrifice, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Plowing of the Wicked Is Sin

Posted on July 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. (Proverbs 21:4, N.K.J.V.) It’s easy to understand why God classifies a haughty (conceited) look as sin. It’s equally easy to understand why He classifies a proud … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Brokenness, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Obedience, Rebellion, Reward, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Submission, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Prayers Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Posted on July 17, 2026 by russellmckinney

Acts 12:1-19 records the story of Peter’s prison break. The story begins with Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great, having Peter arrested and incarcerated in a Roman prison in Jerusalem. Herod is riding high because he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Comfort, Confession, Discipleship, Doubt, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Faith, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Love, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Grace, Honesty, Influence, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Repentance, Submission, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word About Greatness

Posted on June 29, 2026 by russellmckinney

“…whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Work, Humility, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Service | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bullseye Shooting

Posted on June 5, 2026 by russellmckinney

A man was driving through the countryside when he noticed a house that had a barn beside it. Painted onto the side of the barn were several bullseye targets. Inside the center of each target was a bullet hole. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Will, Obedience, Priorities, Submission, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord My Shepherd

Posted on June 1, 2026 by russellmckinney

Series: “The Names of God” (post #4) “The Lord is my shepherd.” These opening words of the 23rd Psalm are probably the most well-known words in the Bible, only rivaled by the words of John 3:16. Far less known, however, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Comfort, Commitment, Contentment, Decisions, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Encouragement, Eternity, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Provision, Heaven, Leadership, Needs, Obedience, Salvation, Series: "The Names of God", Service, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dying Chickens

Posted on May 22, 2026 by russellmckinney

A farmer had 600 chickens. Half of them died and the other half started acting sickly. He called the local agricultural agent, told him the situation, and asked, “What should I do?” The agent said, “You need to give the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Change, Children, Church, Counsel, Decisions, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Family, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Word, Marriage, Money, Needs, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Mechanic

Posted on May 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

As an old story goes in the early 1900s a husband and his wife purchased one of those newfangled Model T Fords. They took it out for a drive one day, but something happened to the engine and the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Creation, Dying To Self, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Individuality, Needs, Problems, Reconciliation, Salvation, Submission, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment